Often she and Midori prepared a simple meal for two together and chatted about quilting, Hawaii, or the challenges facing the Hale Kapa Kuiki, sometimes lingering at the table long after they finished eating to continue their conversation.

After introducing Bonnie to her employees, Sunny and Aya, who had been busy cutting fabric, assisting browsers, and ringing up sales throughout her visit, Claire suggested they get Bonnie settled in her new room at the Hale Kapa Kuiki.

She felt his eyes upon her as they took seats on opposite sides of the small, round table and served themselves, but before he took a bite, he set down his fork and said, “When do you plan to tell me why you moved out of the Hale Kapa Kuiki?”

Even though they had not stood up for her against Craig the way Claire had boldly driven him off from the Hale Kapa Kuiki, they were still some of her dearest friends in the world, and she missed them.